A gift for the teacher

Every school year, my students (and their parents) bring me all kinds of wonderful gifts for Christmas. Each gift, no matter how simple or how elaborate, is a gesture of teacher appreciation that is very meaningful to me…

In addition to the gifts I receive for Christmas, I am always keenly aware that each day when my students show up for preschool that this is a gift of trust and time…

Thank you to my parents for the gifts of appreciation as well as the gift of trust and time with your children.

Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed. has been working and teaching in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years. Deborah currently owns and teaches in her own part-time, private preschool called The Children’s Studio. Deborah’s deep passion for teaching and working with young children is documented and then graciously shared with millions of readers around the world through her blog and other social networking communities. Deborah believes that young children learn best through play and exploration and embraces this belief in all that she does in her own classroom so that she can effectively and passionately share rewarding, real- life, tried-and-true practices with other teachers, parents, and leaders across the field of early childhood education.

Deborah, it is pure pleasure to see how you value the precious lives in your charge. Because of you, the memories you’ve created for them, their lives will be richer for it. Prosperity, Joy, and Good Health to you in the New Year!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS
I wrote this in my December Newsletter:
I traditionally give children a small gift at their birthday, Christmas, and at the end of the school year. Many students from preschool and up, and traditionally in day homes and day care centres, like to buy a gift for their teacher. I have received many beautiful gifts over the years and I am very appreciative of the generosity and sentiments that go with each one of them. I am fortunate to have a job that provides me with many rewards and joy each day – working with each child and all the families! Working with a child everyday is a gift, and I guess what I am trying to say, is I have enough. Please don’t think I am being presumptuous, but I am requesting that you do not buy gifts for me this year. If your child would still like to give me something, I would love if they drew a picture or made a card; that would mean a lot to me. Please put the money you would have spent on a gift toward your own family Christmas or donate to a charity of your choice. I have never been able to weave the right sentiments with my request, and my children’s grade one teacher has written this in her newsletter and it works for my needs too.
Thank you for honouring this request and as always, THANK YOU for all of your support with Monkey Tree Playschool; together we ARE making a difference.

Enjoy your holiday; take time to relax, and celebrate all that is good in life, and GET OUTDOORS!

Earlier in December there was a story that came through the news of a woman who passed away suddenly, a car crash on her way home from work, just 10 days before her 45th birthday. She had requested no gifts for her birthday but instead wanted to give 100 $10 gift cards for use at a national coffee shop chain to the clients who use the Calgary Drop In Centre (here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada). She was slightly discouraged when she learned that there are upwards of 500 clients that drop in each day. She made her manageable goal at 100. Before her untimely death she reached almost half of her goal. Her children (young adults now) continued her wish and wanted to reach 500 instead. The outpouring was incredible and overwhelming – they reached over 1200 gift cards (and continued to pour in). The family distributed on Dec 21, the day before what would have been her 45th birthday. They collected these cards through money into a trust fund at the bank, and collection from her workplace.
My playschool families honoured my request of no gifts BUT they rallied together and donated 12 $10 Gift Cards instead! It made my heart sing with the compassion they showed, as for some of these clients at the Calgary Drop In Centre this GC might be the only gift they received this Christmas. It showed that someone loves them. The Drop In Centre is an organization to prevent homelessness where possible, offer care and shelter when needed, and provide opportunities for people to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives. Merry Christmas!

Thanks for sharing Deb! It truly shows how much they love you and trust you. These are the tokens of love which makes you feel so good. We had a Christmas Party at our school in which one of the teacher became Santa . The children wrapped gifts for their peers and Santa gave the gifts to the children . It’s all sharing and caring that Montessori taught us!
Love,
Shabnum Butt